Kesari – Indian
Bathed in warm, golden hues that mirror its namesake spice, Kesari offers a sensory journey through the diverse landscapes of India where the air hums with the sizzle of the tandoor and the aromatic perfume of toasted cardamom. The kitchen brings together bold regional flavors and time-honored techniques, crafting a vibrant tapestry of rich, layered curries and fragrant biryanis that celebrate the soul-stirring complexity of authentic subcontinental cuisine.
2701 Broadway, New York, 10025 +1-646-368-1333 https://kesarinyc.com/Rating: 4.9/5 (195 reviews)
Cuisine: Indian
Price range: $$
Dietary options: high-protein, vegetarian, nut-free, gluten-free, vegan, dairy-free, low-carb, plant-based, pescatarian, sugar-free, heart-healthy, low-fat, diabetic, high-fiber, clean-eating, low-cholesterol, anti-inflammatory, south-beach, atkins, tlc, detox, mayo-clinic, macrobiotic, slow-carb
What diners are saying
Diners consistently praise this Upper West Side gem for its authentic Indian and Nepalese cuisine, highlighting the perfectly balanced spices and generous portions. Standout dishes include the Momos, Butter Chicken, Samosa Chaat, and lamb curry, with guests raving about the flavorful sauces and excellent lunch specials. Reviewers frequently commend the warm, welcoming atmosphere and exceptional hospitality, noting that the friendly staff and attentive manager make everyone feel like a regular.
Menu
Appetizers
- Vegetable Samosa - $8.95: Potatoes and green peas filled in crispy pastry and fried. Dietary tags: High-Protein
- Chicken Samosa - $8.95: Ground chicken filled in crispy Pastry and fried. Dietary tags: High-Protein, Vegetarian, Plant-Based, High-Fiber
- Lamb Samosa - $9.95: Ground lamb filled in crispy pastry and fried Dietary tags: High-Protein
- Pani Puri - $9.95: Popular street food consisting of a hollow, crispy, fried dough ball (puri) filled with a mixture of spiced potatoes, chickpeas, and a tangy, spicy, flavored water (pani). Only For Dine. Dietary tags: High-Protein
- Pakora - $9.95: Onion and spinach fritters Dietary tags: Vegetarian, Nut-Free, Pescatarian, Sugar-Free
- Mulligatawny Soup - $7.95: Yellow lentil soup Dietary tags: Vegetarian, Nut-Free, Pescatarian, Sugar-Free
- Butternut Squash Soup - $7.95: Nutmeg, Cinnamon, Black Pepper Dietary tags: Vegetarian, Nut-Free, Pescatarian, Sugar-Free
- Samosa Chaat - $9.95: Chopped samosa garnished with chutneys and raita Dietary tags: Vegetarian, Nut-Free, Pescatarian, Sugar-Free
- Chicken Malai Kebab - $13.95: Spice marinated chicken from tandoor. Dietary tags: Vegetarian, Nut-Free, Pescatarian, Sugar-Free
- Paneer Tikka - $10.95: Cottage cheese grilled in clay oven. Dietary tags: Vegetarian, Nut-Free, Pescatarian, Sugar-Free
- Lamb Spring Roll - $14.95: Minced meat, chilli, coriander, mint and raita. Dietary tags: Vegetarian, Nut-Free, Pescatarian, Sugar-Free
- Kesari Special Platter - $18.95: Vegetable samosa, chicken samosa, lamb spring roll & pakora Dietary tags: Vegetarian, Nut-Free, Pescatarian, Sugar-Free
Vegetable Entrees
- Aloo Saag - $17.95: Spinach cooked with potatoes, garlic, ginger, cumin, corriander, onion Dietary tags: Vegan, Vegetarian, Dairy-Free, Nut-Free, Pescatarian, Heart-Healthy, Plant-Based, Low-Fat, Sugar-Free, Clean-Eating, High-Fiber, Low-Cholesterol, TLC, Mayo-Clinic, Macrobiotic
- Chana Masala - $17.95: Curried chickpeas with onion, tomato, clove, black cardamom Dietary tags: High-Protein, Vegetarian, Gluten-Free, Nut-Free, Pescatarian, Sugar-Free, High-Fiber, Slow-Carb
- Paneer Makhani - $17.95: Homemade cheese cooked, buttery sweet tomato sauce. Dietary tags: High-Protein, Vegan, Vegetarian, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Nut-Free, Pescatarian, Diabetic, Heart-Healthy, Plant-Based, Low-Fat, Sugar-Free, Anti-Inflammatory, South-Beach, Clean-Eating, High-Fiber, Low-Cholesterol, TLC, Detox, Mayo-Clinic, Macrobiotic, Slow-Carb
- Paneer Tikka Masala - $17.95: Paneer in a creamy tomato sauce.
- Aloo Gobi Matar - $17.95: Stir-fried Cauliflower, potato and green peas-based curry. Dietary tags: Low-Carb, Vegan, Vegetarian, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Nut-Free, Pescatarian, Diabetic, Plant-Based, Low-Fat, Sugar-Free, Clean-Eating, Low-Cholesterol, Macrobiotic, Slow-Carb
- Bhindi Masala - $17.95: Okra cooked in curry sauce.
- Mushroom Masala - $17.95: White mushrooms cooked with homemade Indian spices.
- Chilly Mushroom - $17.95: Spicy! Mushroom cooked in tomato, garlic and chilly based sauce. Dietary tags: Vegan, Vegetarian, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Nut-Free, Pescatarian, Heart-Healthy, Plant-Based, Low-Fat, Sugar-Free, Clean-Eating, Low-Cholesterol, TLC, Mayo-Clinic, Macrobiotic
- Vegetable Curry - $17.95: Mixed vegetables cooked with garden herbs and spices. Dietary tags: High-Protein, Gluten-Free, Nut-Free, Atkins
- Vegetable Vindaloo - $17.95: A signature dish of GOA, fresh mixed vegetables cooked in fiery sauce, sun-dried Kashmiri red chili, potato, tamarind Dietary tags: High-Protein, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Nut-Free
- Saag Paneer - $17.95: Cottage cheese cooked with spinach Dietary tags: High-Protein, Gluten-Free, Nut-Free
- Vegetable Biryani - $17.95: Rice cooked with mixed vegetables and the spices.
- Malai Kofta - $17.95: Vegetables croquets, yogourt & coconut Cream
- Vegetable Korma - $17.95: Fresh mixed vegetables in almond cashew nut sauce.
- Vegetable Tikka Masala - $17.95: Fresh mixed vegetables cooked with Light cream tomato sauce
- Baingan Bharta - $17.95: Roasted and mashed eggplant, curried.
- Chana Saag - $17.95: Spinach cooked with chickpeas, garlic, cumin, coriander, onion
Chicken Entrees
- Butter Chicken - $18.95: Clay-oven cooked, buttery sweet tomato sauce.
- Chicken Tikka Masala - $18.95: Earthen oven cooked white meat in light cream tomato sauce
- Chicken Curry - $18.95: Chicken with homestyle masala sauce
- Chicken Saag - $18.95: Sauteed spinach, garlic, ginger, toasted cumin, coriander
- Chicken Vindaloo - $18.95: A signature dish of GOA, chicken cooked in Fiery sauce, sun-dried Kashmiri red chili, potato, tamarind.
- Chicken Korma - $18.95: Chicken in almond cashew nut sauce.
- Tandoori Chicken Tikka - $18.95: Yogurt marinated chicken grilled in clay oven.
- Chilly Chicken - $18.95: Chicken cooked in spicy tomato sauce
- Chicken Biryani - $18.95: Long grain basmati rice meal, saffron, cloves, bay leaf
Seafood Entrees
- Shrimp Curry - $22.95: Shrimp cooked in homestyle masala sauce.
- Tandoori Shrimp - $22.95: Clay oven grilled shrimp
- Salmon Tikka Masala - $22.95: Salmon with light cream tomato sauce.
- Salmon Chilly - $22.95: Fried salmon cooked in tomato sauce and chilly based spicy sauce.
- Shrimp Tikka Masala - $22.95: Shrimp with light cream tomato sauce.
- Shrimp Biryani - $22.95: Rice cooked with spices and shrimp.
- Shrimp Chilly - $22.95: Fried shrimp cooked in tomato sauce and chilly based spicy sauce.
- Tandoori Salmon - $22.95: Salmon marinated with spice grilled in clay oven
- Shrimp Korma - $22.95: Shrimp cooked in rich cashew nut and almond sauce
Lamb Entrees
- Lamb Tikka Masala - $20.95: Boneless lamb in a cream tomato sauce.
- Lamb Korma - $20.95: Lamb with almonds and cashew nut sauce.
- Lamb Saag - $20.95: Lamb cooked with spinach.
- Lamb Curry - $20.95: Lamb with homestyle masala sauce.
- Lamb Vindaloo - $20.95: A signature dish of GOA, lamb meat cooked in Fiery sauce, sun-dried Kashmiri red chili, potato, tamarind.
- Lamb Biryani - $20.95: Rice cooked with spices and lamb.
Himalayan Food (Momo)
Dumplings filled with special Himalayan spices
- Vegetable Momo (Steam) - $14.95: Vegetable dumpling filled with mixed vegetables and special Himalayan spices
- Vegetable Momo (Fried) - $15.95: Vegetable dumpling filled with mixed vegetables and special Himalayan spices
- Vegetable Momo (Jhol/Soup) - $16.95: Vegetable dumpling filled with mixed vegetables and special Himalayan spices in soup
- Chicken Momo (Steam) - $14.95: Dumplings filled with ground chicken meat and special Himalayan spices
- Chicken Momo (Fried) - $15.95: Dumplings filled with ground chicken meat and special Himalayan spices
- Chicken Momo (Jhol/Soup) - $16.95: Dumplings filled with ground chicken meat and special Himalayan spices in soup
- Lamb Momo (Steam) - $15.95: Dumplings filled with ground lamb meat and special Himalayan spices
- Lamb Momo (Fried) - $16.95: Dumplings filled with ground lamb meat and special Himalayan spices
- Lamb Momo (Jhol/Gravy) - $17.95: Dumplings filled with ground lamb meat and special Himalayan spices in gravy
- Chilly Momo (Chicken) - $15.95: Dumplings cooked in tomato based spicy sauce.
- Chilly Momo (Lamb) - $16.95: Dumplings cooked in tomato based spicy sauce.
Breads
- Plain Naan - $4: Clay oven baked bread.
- Onion Kulcha - $6: Flat bread stuffed with onions and spices.
- Coconut Naan - $6: Flat bread stuffed with coconut.
- Rosemary Naan - $6: Clay oven baked bread topped with dry rosemary
- Lachcha Paratha - $6: Whole wheat flatbread with butter.
- Garlic Naan - $6: Flatbread topped with garlic.
- Paneer Naan - $6: Flatbread topped with paneer.
- Cilantro Naan - $5: Flatbread topped with cilantro topping.
- Roti - $4: Whole Wheat
Sides
- Dal Makhani - $12.95: Black lentils cooked with cream and spices.
- Dal Tadka - $11.95: Yellow Lentils
- Raita - $5.95: Cool whipped yogurt with cucumber and carrot.
- Papadum - $5.95: Yellow lentils wafers
- Mixed Pickle - $5.95: Tangy and Spicy mixed pickle of mango, carrot, green chillies, lemon perfect as a flavorful side
- Mango Chutney - $5.95: Sweet and sour mango jelly.
- Extra Basmati Rice - $3.95
Desserts
- Gulab Jamun (2 pieces) - $6.95: Honeyed dumplings.
- Rasmalai (3 pieces) - $7.95: Light cheesecake, thickened creamy milk & pistachio
- Kheer - $6.95: Rice Pudding
Beverages
- Soda - $2.95: Coke, Diet coke, Sprite, Ginger Ale, Seltzer
- Masala Chai - $3.95: Spiced tea with milk.
- Mango Lassi - $6.95: Mango and yogurt smoothie
- Plain Lassi - $6.95: Yogurt Smoothie
- Sparkling Water (Pellegrino) - $4.95
- Bottled Water - $2.95
- Iced Tea - $4.95
Specials
- All Day Special - $24.95: One Appetizer + One Entree + Dessert or Side. Choose from select appetizers (Samosas, Soups, Pakora), Entrees (Veg, Chicken, Lamb +$2.95, Seafood +$3.95), and Desserts/Sides.
- Lunch Special (Vegetarian) - $13.99: Mon-Fri 11am-3pm. Served with Vegetable of the day + Lentil of the day + Rice + Naan + Choice of one curry (Chana Masala, Aloo Gobi Matar, Saag Paneer, or Paneer Makhani).
- Lunch Special (Chicken) - $14.99: Mon-Fri 11am-3pm. Served with Vegetable of the day + Lentil of the day + Rice + Naan + Choice of one curry (Chicken Tikka Masala, Chicken Curry, Chicken Korma, Chicken Vindaloo, or Chicken Saag).
- Lunch Special (Lamb / Seafood) - $15.99: Mon-Fri 11am-3pm. Served with Vegetable of the day + Lentil of the day + Rice + Naan + Choice of one curry (Lamb Curry, Lamb Korma, Lamb Vindaloo, Shrimp Tikka Masala, or Shrimp Curry).
Frequently Asked Questions about Kesari
- Does this restaurant offer good ambiance?
- Reviewers commend the warm, welcoming atmosphere and exceptional hospitality, while the interior features warm, golden hues and aromatic scents.
- What type of diner would most enjoy this restaurant?
- Diners seeking authentic Indian-Nepalese cuisine, exceptional hospitality, and extensive dietary options including vegan, keto, and gluten-free would enjoy this restaurant.
- What are this restaurant's hours of operation?
- The provided data for Kesari does not include specific information regarding the restaurant's hours of operation.
- How does this restaurant compare to others in the same cuisine type?
- Kesari stands out among Indian restaurants with a 4.9/5 rating, offering authentic cuisine, generous portions, and exceptional hospitality at a moderate price.
- How extensive is this restaurant's menu selection?
- Kesari offers an extensive menu with 27 dietary categories and diverse Indian-Nepalese dishes including Momos, Butter Chicken, and regional curries.
- What is the overall customer sentiment about this restaurant?
- With a 4.9/5 rating, reviewers praise the authentic cuisine, generous portions, and exceptional hospitality, specifically highlighting the Momos and Butter Chicken.
- What type of cuisine does this restaurant specialize in?
- Kesari specializes in authentic Indian and Nepalese cuisine, featuring traditional dishes like curries, biryanis, momos, and tandoor-cooked specialties.
- Does this restaurant have good options for group dining with mixed dietary needs?
- Kesari accommodates mixed dietary needs with vegan, gluten-free, keto, and high-protein options like Mixed Pickle, Basmati Rice, and vegetarian lunch specials.
- What is this restaurant's overall rating?
- Kesari has an overall average rating of 4.9/5, reflecting the high praise it receives for its authentic Indian and Nepalese cuisine.
- Is this a good spot for a date or special occasion?
- Reviewers praise the warm, welcoming atmosphere and exceptional hospitality at this 4.9/5 rated gem, making it ideal for special occasions.
Restaurants near Kesari
- Rudraks — Indian
- Baazi — Indian
- Alachi Masala — Indian
- Swagat — Indian
- Baazi Nyc — Indian
- Baazi — Indian
- Manhattan Valley — Indian
- Curry King — Indian
- Himalayan Curry House (Uptown Branch) — Indian
- Manhattan Valley Indian Cuisine — Indian
- Curry King — Indian
- Doaba Deli — Indian
